Elton John, international super-star and Gay icon, long recognized as a “Secular Saint,” and a modern day man-of-the-people has spoken. And he expressed a sentiment that would do us all well to follow.

A firestorm of controversy flared up when word got out that Elton John agreed to perform at Rush Limbaugh’s wedding ceremony to bride number four. Rush Limbaugh? Really?

To many, a performance for Limbaugh was seen as giving a performance for the “enemy.” Many have asked that even if John was receiving the reported one million dollar (US) fee for the performance, it couldn’t be that he did it for the money. Did he? Could he? Would he? Ok, even John deserves to make a living. Beyond the burdens of being the leader of a global people, the man has to pay his bills, right?

Elton has been a lightning rod throughout his public life, accompanied by tumult and controversy. The world still loves Elton – even those who couldn’t see past the paid gig. But forgiveness is a part of our Gay DNA and one of our 13 cherished “Gaymandments.” But how exactly did this performance advance the global Gay condition, some are wondering? That’s not the right question, even of the Godfather of our Gay world. Limbaugh had a global super-star perform at his wedding. Our detractors will always say that our man “sold us out” for the sake of a paycheck. Where’s the upside to how we can rationalize this? To begin with, Elton has done incredible good to support all of our people. No one can question his generosity. I say he should take the money, put it to good use, however he sees fit. And frankly if Elton didn’t perform, there would be someone else.

Elton John has reportedly said that he now has a new philosophy. “Life is about building bridges. Not about building walls.” I find it to be life affirming and a beautiful way to go through life. I have used it for years and it’s reqarding to hear Elton utter those words. One would figure that a less caring and feeling man might not open his heart to seeing life in this way, so good for him. I wish more of us would view life through this lens.

Let me repeat it again because I like the sounds of it so much: “Life is about building bridges. Not about building walls.” Just think about it…how can each of us go about our day saying that we have worked to build bridges and not walls?

For me, I see great value in reaching out and building bridges to those who have been less than benevolent to us through history. But we will build the bridges from our new Gay homeland, from our own position of strength, where our freedom has been secured. The world will see us differently when we are from a position of strength. As long as we as a people are viewed as servants, dependents and “lesser-thans” we will not be building bridges from strength but from dependency.

So readers should begin by not questioning or second guessing Elton’s decision to take a paid gig at Limbaugh’s wedding. He will continue to use his resources to support our Gay community as he chooses. We hope he will continue to support The Gay State and the FIGS Party as we move forward in building our bridges from a position of strength in a new Gay homeland.